Mucho Mustache

The NY Post reports that the Mets signed Jose Valentin to a one-year, $4 million deal.

I like it. Now the Mets need to go out and find a Tim Teufel for Valentin's Wally Backman, someone who can mash left-handers, play adequate defense and give the 37-year-old a break every now and then. Free agent (and Passaic, NJ native) Mark DeRosa would be perfect -- he crushed lefties to the tune of .342/.398/.589 last year -- but he'll likely land a full-time job elsewhere. Mark Loretta (748 OPS vs. lefties) or Tony Graffanino (761 OPS vs. lefties) would be adequate; Ronnie Belliard (592 OPS vs. lefties) and Chris Woodward (635 OPS vs. lefties) would not be.

Around the Web:

The New York Times reports that CitiCorp will dole out $20 million per year for the next 20 years for the naming rights to CitiField.

Jon Heyman says that the Mets are negotiating a "long-term deal" with Willie Randolph.

The Mets will be looking for a third base coach now that it looks like Manny Acta will become manager of the Washington Nationals. Ken Davidoff speculates that Ken Oberkfell and Luis Sojo are the top contenders.